Metered grease dispenser



3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Fzaaznr M BAaLEY. BY 9/ ATTORNEY.

R. M. BAGLEY METERED GREASE DISPENSER Fild Jan. 14, 1952 July 2, 1935.

R. M. B AGLEY 2,006,532

METERED GREASE DISPENSER Filed Jan. 14, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 2, 1935.

I I I I l/ "hi H I IN V EN TOR.- HOBERTNBA 61. E Y

y 1935- R. M. BAGLEY ,5

' METERED GREASE DISPENSER I Filed Jan. 14, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 6 w lll mum ROBERT M EAGLE)? INVEN TOR.

A TTORNEY.

Patented July 2 1935 I zteassz 1 UNITE-D STATES PATENT OFFICE,

' I f 2,006,532 V" I i V METERED GREASE DISPENSER V I Robert M. Ba'gley, Had don'field, N. J. iterator January 14, 1932, Serial No. 586,558-

,2 Claims, (01. 221-95) Mytinvientioh relates to a new and useful metered grease dispenser, and itrelates more particularlyltoa dispensing device for delivering grease under Suitable pressure through a hose,

which will notonly accurately measure the amount of grease delivered, but which will automatically eliminate errors in measuring when the dispensing device is empty.

. The object of my invention 1 dispensing device wherein the grease is displaced or removed from the reservoirby air pressure V v v the bottom of the reservoir, showing a modified .within such reservoir'and whereby the grease is forced through a measuring device, prior to its ultimate dischargalby said air pressure:vvithout however permitting. the compressed air to pass through the measuring device, so as'to produce a false reading on the latter.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear more fully from the following detailed description, my invention consistsof a normally closed vessel or reservoiniintowhich a suitable quantity of grease or other lubricant is adapted .to ,beplaced, a m'eteringdeviceoperatively con-- nected to said reservoir with its intake opening positioned or extendedzi'n proximity to the bottom 'of the bodyof grease or .lubricantra flexible discharge hose including a manually operable valve for controllingthe flow of lubricant from said reservoir through said "metering. device and through said. hose, .andi'meansfor supplying air under pressure intosaid reservoir on top of the grease or lubricant, and means within said reservoir,land controlled by the height of the body of grease or lubricant, for closing the grease intake opening leading: to the metering device when the level oflub'ricant reaches-Y a certain low point, thereby to shut ofi the flow of lubricant auto matically and preventthe passage of compressed air through'the metering device.

My'invention further consists of other novel features of construction which'will appear more fully from thefollowing description. 7 r

,Forthepurpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in the accompanying drawings one form thereof which is at presentpreferred by me, sincethe same has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, "although it is to be understood that the various instrmnentalities of which my invention consists can be'variously arranged and organized, and that my inventio'nis'not limited'to the precise arrangement and organization of the-instrumentalities herein shown and described; Y

- Referringto the drawingsin which like reference characters indicatelikeparts,

taken generally on line2-2 of Figure l;

s to provide a grease same;

"top of the intakepipe 23,-as indicated particularly 'in- Figure 2, said valve type, such as globe valve, plug valve, or the like.

of said screen and thecorre'sponding housing tion 7 Figure 2 represents a vertical sectional view 5 Figure 3 represents an'enlarged sectional View of the bottom'ofthe reservoir, as shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 represents a section on line 4-4 of Figure 3; M 10 Figure 5 represents avertical sectional view of form of construction embodying my invention;

Figure 6 represents a sectionon line 6-43 of V Figure 5; a 15 Figure '7 represents a section on lineL-J of Figure 2, on an enlarged scale;

Figure 8 represents a section on line-E-B of Figure 1, illustrating the construction of the air supply and control valve;

Figure 9 represents a plan view-of the strainer reinforcing spider shown in Figure 7;

Figure 10 represents a side elevation of the a Figure 11 represents a plan View of the'refill 5 plug at the bottom of the reservoir for normally closing the opening through which the grease is supplied into the reservoir.

E Figure 12 represents a section on line l2--l2 of Figure 11. y

- In carrying out 7 a 30 my invention I may provide any suitable reservoir'20, which is preferably in the form of a cylindrical steel tank having a top 2-! and bottom 22, preferably welded or riveted thereto.- Through the top 2[ of the tank 26, an intake pipe 23 is extended, suitably sealed to the top of the tank by welding or the like at its juncture 24. A main control valve 25 is provided on 25 being of any suitable 0 To the other side of the main controlvalve 25 a strainer 26 is operatively secured;said strainer comprising particularly two somewhat similar and separable housing members 21 and 28 respec- 45 tively, having coactingannular flanges which are detachably'se'cured to each other by a series of bolts or screws 29. A metallic screen 30 of suitable-mesh is interposedrbetween the two strainer I housing members 21 and 28with the periphery thereof clamped between the annular flanges of said casings Z1 and Z8. Annular washers or gaskets 3i and 32 are also preferablyplaced on either side. of the Screen, intermediate the periphery members 21 and 28, respectively, so as to seal said housing securely against the leakage of grease or lubricant. A transverse reinforcing or supporting spider member 33 is placed on one side of the screen farthest from the source of grease supply, so as to support the screen against the pressure of the grease flowing therethrough.

To the other side of the strainer housing, a metering device 34 is secured, having an eccentric rotor 35 disposed within the cylindrical chamber of the housing of the metering device and provided with a series of blades 36 for sealing the eccentric measuring chamber 31. The grease enters at 38 and is discharged at 39, causing a rotation of the rotor 35 in the direction of the arrow 40. The rotation of the rotor 35 is transmitted through a central shaft 4| to a pointer 42, positioned in front of the dial 43 on the face of the metering device. Any suitable reduction gearing is interposed between the shaft 4| and the shaft of the pointer 42, so that the desired calibration maybe obtained.

A'flexible hose 44 is secured to the discharge opening 39 of the metering device 34, and to the free end of the flexible hose 44 a manual control valve 45 is secured, having a discharge nozzle 46, through which the grease or lubricant is finally discharged into the gear case of the automobile or other machine requiring the lubricant. In the novel operation of the machine, the main control valve 25 is maintained open constantly, while the secondary control valve 45 at the end of the hose 44 is used for starting and stopping the flow of lubricant.

Near the bottom of the tank 20 a flanged inlet opening 41 is provided, through which the grease may be filled into the tank, when the latter is empty ;-the filling being accomplished while the tank is placed in a horizontal position with the opening 41 on top. The flanged opening 41 is screw-threaded internally and the correspondingly screw-threaded plug 48 is threaded into the opening, thereby to close the same, while the dispensing device is in use. A safety release hole 49 is provided through the threaded flange 50 of the plug 48.

An air-control valve unit 5|, as shown detached in Figure 8, is provided at any suitable point on the tank '20, as shown in Figure 1, with the externally threaded portion 52 of said valve unit 5| screw-threaded into the top of the tank, or otherwise permanently aflixed to the ,top of the tank, in operative communication therewith. The passageway 53, which is in direct communication with the interior of the tank 20, terminates in a valve seat 54, which is adapted to receive the screw operated needle valve 55. The needle valve 55 is provided with a screw-threaded stem portion 56, which is screw-threadedly mounted in the screw-threaded bore 51 of the housing 5|, in axial alignment with the valve seat 54. The valve stem then continues externally and is provided with a manually operable handle 56. A packing gland 59 may be provided, surrounding the stem 56, and screw-threaded to the housing 5|, for confining the packing gasket 60 around said stem 56. Into one side of the valve housing 5| a conventional air-valve 6|' is screw-threadedly secured, as shown particularly in Figure 8, through which the air may be filled into the tank 20. The other side of the valve housing 5| is provided with a relief valve chamber 62, including the valve seat 63, which is adapted to receive a ball check valve or any other suitable check valve 64, which is urged againstsaid valve seat 63 by the helical compression spring 65. The helical compression spring 65 is in turn supported and compressed to any suitable degree by the perforated retaining plug 66 which is screwthreaded into the end of the chamber 62. By screwing the plug 66 further into the chamber or out of the chamber 62, the pressure of the helical compression spring 65 may be varied so as to vary the seating pressure of the check valve 64. A screw-threaded lock nut 61 maybe provided around the plug 66, so as to lock the setting of the plug 66.

In filling the air into the tank 20 (after the latter has been supplied with a suitable amount of lubricant), the cap 66 of the air valve 6| is removed and the air chuck of the compressed air hose applied to the end of the valve 6|, while the needle valve 55isopened. The air thus fills in through the passageway 53, into the tank 20, until the pressure within the tank reaches the specific pressure for which the check valve. 64 has been set. This valve may be set for anywhere from 50 to 150 lbs. per square inch,.more or less, depending upon the viscosity of the lubricant, the size of the tank, and certain other factors. A further application of the compressed air hose to the valve 6| .will merely open the check valve 64, and force air out through the perforation 69 in the plug 66. When the air has been filled into the tank, the valve 55 isclosed by means of the handle-58.

In the modification of my invention, illustrated particularly in Figures 2 and 3, a conical valve head 10 is secured to the lower end of the pipe 23, with the base of the cone at the bottom. One

or more perforations H are provided in the conical wall of the valve head 10. A correspondingly conical valve member 12, carried by the guiding sleeve 13, is slidably mounted upon the pipe 23, as indicated in Figures 2 and 3. A float 14, of wood, cork or the like, or possibly. formed of hollow metal construction, is afiixed to the sleeve 13 and the conical valve member 12, so that said sleeve 13 and conical valve member 12 will be raised and lowered by said float 14;the position of the latter being in turn controlled by the level of the liquid (grease or other lubricant) within the tank 20. Thus, when the tank contains a substantial amount of lubricant, as indicated in Figure 2, the float 14 will raise theconical valve member 12, so that the intake apertures or holes ll of the conical valve head 10 are exposed and in a condition to admit grease or other lubricant into the pipe 23. When the level of the body of grease or other lubricant 15 drops however, the float 14 is also carried down until the conical valve member 12 seats upon the conical 'valve head 16, as indicated in Figure 3. In this position the apertures 1| are closed against the further admission of lubricant, or against the further admission of air which fills the tank 20 under pressure. By this means the admission of air into the pipe 23, and its passage through the metering device, is prevented.

In the modification of my invention shown particularly in Figure 5, the valve head 16 is provided with an upper fiat surface having one or more apertures 11 extending therethrough, into the interior of the valve head 16. The float :16, in this modification of my invention, is provided with a flat sealing gasket or washer 19, of leather or other suitable material, which is carried down onto the valve head 16, so as to close the openings 11 thereof, and in this manner prevent the admission of grease or air into the valve head 16 reached Ia eertain iow pom linea'ch oi shown-in Figures '3 and 5, I 'als'o -pi o'vide a check 1 {grease and the pipe za when the fl'v the"modifications of my invention valve 88, urged against any suitable valve seat 8i,- formed"in' the valve head 10 or 18, so as to prevent the grease or lubricant from emptying out of the pipe 23 when the valves 25 and 45 are open and the tank 28 is opened at the. plug. 48. The check valve 88 is urged by a helical compression spring 82, which in turn is supported by a cross-pin 83 extended through the pipe 23, as indicated in Figures 3 and 5. v The pressure of the valve closing spring 82 is merely suflicient to keep the valve 88 seated against its valve seat, but not suflicient materially to hinder the ingress of grease or lubricant into the pipe 23 under the pressure of air contained within the tank 28. If desired, the float I8, shown in the modification of my invention in Figure 5, may also be provided with suitable guiding sleeves, such as the guiding sleeve 13, shown in Figure 3.

An air release plug 84 may also be provided on top of the tank 28, for releasing all the'compressed air from the tank prior to refilling the tank with grease.

In the normal operation of my novel grease dispensing device, the air is first released by means of the screw plug 84, and then the plug 48 is removed, while the tank is in a horizontal position, with the opening 41 on top. The grease is then poured in through the opening 41, until a suflicient amount has been placed into the tank 28. This causes the float 14 or 18 to be raised, or displaced towards the upper ends of the tank 28 along the pipe 23, when the tank is again positioned upright. The plug 48 is then replaced and screwed tight against the packing washer or gasket 85. Thereafter the air-release screw plug 84 is screwed into position. The needle valve 55 is then opened by means of the handle 58, and air is filled into the tank through the conventional air valve 8i, until suitable pressure, either as indicated by the pressure gauge 86, oras indicated by the release of the check valve 84, has been attained within the tank 28. Then the needle valve 55 is closed by means of the handle 58. The main control valve 25 is then opened and the metered grease dispenser is ready for use. By opening the valve 45, any suitable amount of grease may be dispensed through the nozzle 46 the amount of grease thus dispensed being accurately recorded on the meter 34. When the tank is near empty, the float 14 or T8 closes the intake end of the pipe 23, through the closing of the ports of the valve head 18 or the valve head 16, thereby preventing the false registration on the meter 34.

The air-release port 49, in the plug 48, is provided to release the air through said opening before the plug 48 is entirely unscrewed from the tank, should any air pressure remain in the tank by failure to open the release plug 84 prior to the removal of the plug 48. This prevents the plug 48 from being projected accidentally by the pressure of air within the tank.

In order to permit the metered grease dispenser to be moved about more readily, and in order to permit it to be placed on its side more readily for refilling, a pair of wheels 81 are secured to one side of the tank, upon an axle 88. An upright handle member 89 is also secured to the same side of the tank, having a crossed handle bar 98 mounted thereon, by means 01' which the tank may be manipulated upon the ,532 13 wheels 8-1. The lower end of thehandle sternw isxt'urnedupwardly as at-BI, soas -to form a 'ho'ok ior' the reception or han'ging of lthe hose 'quantity of grease or other lubricant and for containing compressed air on said grease or other lubricant; a metering device operatively connected to said reservoir having an intake pipe extending down into the reservoir in proximity to the bottom of the body of grease or other lubricant, a, flexible discharge hose connected to said metering device, a manually operable valve for starting and stopping the flow of grease or other lubricant, through said intake pipe, said metering device and said hose, means for supplying air under pressure into said reservoir and for confining the same therein, means for supplying lubricant into said reservoir and for confining the same therein, a one-directional check valve for preventing the flow of fluid in said intake pipe from the metering device into the grease reservoir, a strainer intermediate the intake end of said intake pipe and said metering device, a conical valve head operatively carried by the lower end of said intake pipe and having an intake port, a float slidably mounted upon said intake pipe adapted to be buoyantly supported by the grease or other lubricant in said reservoir, and a conical valve port closure carried by said float for closing said intake port against the further ingress of grease or other lubricant and against the ingress of compressed air, when the level of grease or other lubricant reaches a suitable low point, thereby automatically to shut off the flow of lubricant and to prevent the passage of compressed air through the metering device.

2. A metered grease dispenser including a normally closed reservoir for containing a suitable quantity of grease or other lubricant and for containing compressed air on said grease or other lubricant; a metering device operatively connected to said reservoir having an intake pipe extending down into the reservoir in proximity to the bottom of the body of grease or other lubricant, a flexible discharge hose connected to said metering device, a manually operable valve for starting and stopping the flow of grease or other lubricant, through said intake pipe, said metering device and said hose, means for supplying air under pressure into said reservoir and for confining the same therein, means for supplying lubricant into said reservoir and for confining the same therein, a one-directional valve check for preventing a flow of fluid insaid intake pipe from the metering device into the grease reservoir, a strainer intermediate the intake end of said intake pipe and said metering device, and the intake end of said intake pipe, at manually operable shut-off valve intermediate said strainer, a valve head operatively carried by the lower end of said intake pipe and having an upper valve seating surface with an intake I aimaware that the invention" may be embo'died'in" other specific forms without departport therethrough; a float slidably mounted upon level of grease or other lubricant reaches a said intake pipe adapted to be buoyantly supsuitable low point, thereby automatically to shut ported by the grease or other lubricant in said of! the flow of lubricant and to prevent the pasreservoir, and a sealing gasket carried by said sage of compressed air through the metering 5 float for closing said intake port against the device. 7

further ingress of grease or other lubricant and 7 ROBERT M. BAGLEY. against the ingress of compressed air, when the Y 

